And then they gave us a duck...

Every time I see this duck I am reminded of what miscommunications can bring. This looker is a souvenir from Barathawa and he now lives at Saroj Dhai's restaurant in Sukepokhari.

About a month ago, my colleagues held an opening ceremony for a new library in a remote village in Barathawa. In all my time in Nepal so far, this village was the most intriguing to me. Families live in small mud houses near a trash-filled riverbank. The village is known for bamboo products, so walking through the "street" of huts, I could see many people stripping, carving, and weaving bamboo.

Though the library construction is not yet complete, the building is by far the most "buildingy" structure in the town. After we arrived, the room quickly became packed with local children, parents, and teachers. Several times during the ceremony, people walking by poked their heads in to see what was happening. The fact that something was happening, I got the feeling, was already a big deal. "A library in our village!... definitely something to write home about :)" was the expression I saw on face after face. The 3 planned speeches became 14, all in Nepali... this much extended talking in a language I'm far from fluent in always makes me sleepy. Luckily, there were pigs right outside the building who were making squealing noises that didn't quite sound like they could come from a natural being. This kept me awake and attentive, especially since there are currently holes in the walls where windows will be built. 

After the ceremony, we were given a short tour of the street and some homes. Spotting a bunch of ducks, Mrs. Park mentioned that in Korea, there is a popular dish made with duck. From this brief comment that wasn't intended to be heard by everyone, our Nepali friends quickly grabbed a duck and started binding its feet. They asked us to please take it as a "thank you" for the library. They offered to slaughter the duck then and there, but we insisted to take it alive.. and keep it alive! 

It warmed my heart to see people who have so little give what they can. Handing over the duck, they had the widest smiles I've ever seen. Reminds me that all people, all over the world, find joy in giving to others. 

Our duck is doing well now that he has a companion to share his days with.